Periodontal disease, also known as Periodontitis, is a type of gum disease that affects the soft tissues surrounding the gums, as well as the bones that support the teeth. If left untreated, it can result in tooth loss or even worse, and can also cause other serious health problems.

If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, you are not alone. Statistics reveal that 80% of adults in the U.S. have had some form of Periodontitis during their lifetime. The gum disease is common, and is usually caused by poor oral hygiene.

Causes of Periodontal Disease

Every time we eat, our mouth is full of bacteria. Along with mucus and other particles, these bacteria continuously form colorless, sticky ‘plaque’ on teeth. Generally plaque forms when sugar and starch in food interact with the bacteria in our mouth. Regular brushing and flossing may remove plaque from your teeth, but it quickly re-forms. Furthermore, plaque buildup on your teeth and mineral content of your saliva can form tartar under the gumline. This not makes plaque more difficult to get rid of, but it also acts as a powerhouse of harmful bacteria. The longer the tarter and plaque remain on your teeth, the more damaging it can be.

To get rid of the bacteria and plaque in the mouth, the cells in our immune system release substances that often inflame and cause damages to the gums, alveolar bone, and periodontal ligaments. This causes swollen and bleeding gums, which is a sign of Gingivitis (the first stage of periodontal disease). Continuous inflammation causes developing pockets between the teeth and gums that fill up with bacteria, tarter and plaque. When these pockets become deep, more bacteria accumulate within them, eventually affecting the tissues and bones under your gums. In severe cases, you may also cause your teeth to loosen. This is a sign of acute Periodontitis.

In this case, you may need to seek expert advice and use PerioPatch, a topical patch designed to provide relief from the signs and symptoms of inflammation caused by Gingivitis and Periodontitis.

Some of the risk factors that may increase the chances of developing periodontal disease are:
– Smoking
– Diabetes
– Medications that tend to reduce the flow of saliva in the mouth
– Hormonal changes in the body, especially in women
– Genetic susceptibility
– Other diseases like AIDS and cancer, and their treatments can also negatively affect the health of your gums, increasing the risk of gum diseases

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

How would you know if you have periodontal disease? Mentioned here are the common signs and symptoms of gum disease:

Periodontal disease or gum disease is an issue that is commonly faced by people around the world. If you have ever heard of anyone complaining about loose or sensitive teeth on a regular basis, high chances are that they have some form of periodontal disease.

Most forms of periodontal disease occur because of neglecting dental health. A sticky substance called plaque develops inside the mouth and is the main culprit behind gum diseases. Ignoring dental health needs can result in the buildup of plaque and tartar, which eat into the gums and leave vast pockets of space for bacteria to develop. This buildup of bacteria turns into an infection sooner or later, and that’s when you start encountering problems.

Luckily, advancements in the medical field thanks to many a pharmaceutical company in New York have made it possible to diagnose periodontal problems. Successful diagnosis involves the sufferer describing his symptoms, upon which medical professionals conduct a range of tests to determine the exact problem.

The Symptoms

There are certain symptoms that are experienced by sufferers of gum disease. However, the following symptoms may not always indicate a serious problem:

Swollen gums with a red tinge

Bleeding gums

Halitosis or bad breath

Loose and sensitive teeth

Gums recede, resulting in the teeth appearing longer

Problems experienced while chewing

Pus between gums and teeth

While the aforementioned problems don’t always indicate a serious gum disorder, you should visit a dentist as soon as you notice any of them, as periodontal disease is easier to reverse if diagnosed at an early stage.

Diagnosis

The severity of a gum disorder is diagnosed mainly through two methods. The basic purpose is to understand the amount of plaque and tartar buildup in the mouth.

Measuring Pocket Depth with an Instrument:
As plaque builds up and the resulting acid eats into the teeth and gums, pockets of space appear between the two. The pocket depth is identified with the help of a metal probe, which is inserted below the gum line. A pocket depth in the range of 1-3 mm is considered normal. However, people with pocket depths of more than 5 mm may have periodontal disease.

Dental X-Rays:
Once the pocket depth has been identified and your dentist sees it as a problem, x-rays are performed to identify any kind of bone loss. Bone loss is generally a sign of an advanced stage of periodontitis.

Classification

Gingivitis:
Recognized as the mildest form of periodontal disease, gingivitis is indicative of inflamed gum tissues. Leaving it untreated increases the risk of developing serious periodontal problems in the future. Diabetics, pregnant women, and steroid users face increased risks of developing gingivitis.

Chronic Periodontal Disease:
Once gingivitis develops into a full-blown periodontal disease, it is known as chronic periodontal disease. The gum and bone tissues worsen at a steady pace, and this is generally associated with people over the age of 40. The receding gums and teeth appearing longer are classic signs of chronic periodontal disease.

Aggressive Periodontal Disease:
With almost the same problems as chronic periodontal disease, aggressive periodontal disease involves a rapid worsening of symptoms. Loss of bone and tissue attachment is considerably faster, and this form of gum disease is associated with diabetics and smokers.

Necrotizing Periodontal Disease:
People with existing medical conditions like chronic stress, HIV, immunosuppression, and malnutrition are at risk of developing necrotizing periodontal disease, which involves tissue death and rapid destruction of bones between teeth.

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